Spec set for 3D specs tech

A handful of leading 3D TV manufacturers have today announced their intent to work together on standardising active 3D glasses technology.

Panasonic Corp, Samsung Electronics, Sony Corp and X6D Limited (Xpand 3D) have all agreed to collaborate on the development and licensing of RF system 3D active glasses tech. In other words: one kit to rule them all.

The standardisation will include multiple types of IR system protocols between 3D active glasses and 3D displays, merging all existing attempts into one.

In March, Panasonic set the ball rolling by announcing a joint-licensing agreement with Xpand 3D. The initiative - supported by many leading 3D providers from Hitachi to ViewSonic - aimed to push through the M-3DI standard, a common protocol between all kinds of 3D displays from movie theatres to laptops.

The announcement today goes beyond the M-3DI venture, with the heavy hitters on-board keen to safeguard their investment in this technology and reassure a somewhat sceptical consumer response to 3D in its myriad forms – the cost and proprietary nature of 3D glasses has alway been a sore point.

While competition between companies can bring about progress, it would seem that common sense has prevailed and the manufacturers have finally managed to get the customers' 3D viewing experience in perspective.

The licensing is expected to go through in September, when the development of the standardised tech will commence. Universal glasses should hit retail in 2012 and will be backwards compatible with any 2011 3D active TVs. ®